An Introduction to Olivet Nazarene University Admissions

By: Anna Wertman

This is a place where lives are changed… When you hear that statement, what do you think of? Your first thought is most likely not a university Admissions building. Although it may not be the location you think of, that doesn’t mean the statement is false.

What is Admissions?

When a potential student first pulls into the main Olivet Nazarene University campus, the first building that they see is the Admissions Center. Its red brick walls and white-columned entrance set the stage for the rest of the campus.

According to the Olivet Archives, the Admissions Reception Center was completed in 1999. The original opening ceremony was held on May 7, 1999. However, it wasn’t until May 6, 2011 that the Admissions Center was designated the Jill and John Bowling Admissions Reception Center. This designation was given “in ‘grateful recognition’ of ‘outstanding leadership and service.'”

Staff

Currently, Olivet Nazarene University employs 11 Admissions Counselors, eight Admissions Staff members, and seven members of Admissions Administration. In addition to those individuals, Olivet also employs many student workers in the Office of Admissions.

Locations

When it comes to daily operations, the Admissions Office is split into two sections. Admissions West and Admissions South. Admissions West is the front of the Admissions operation. It is the building all potential students visit and where the Admissions Counselors work. This is also where the Student Ambassadors who lead Purple and Gold Days and campus tours work.

Admissions South is housed in a building called the Admissions Guest House. This is where much of the behind-the-scenes of student recruitment takes place. The student workers here are in charge of contacting potential students, whether that is calling them, writing them notes, or sending them personalized emails. They are also in charge of scheduling visits.

“Work hours have been cut nearly in half,” said Derek Schaffner, a senior student worker at Admissions South when asked how his job had been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 Response

Despite the past year being greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Admissions Office staff have done their best to continue regular operations. When the pandemic first began, Olivet Nazarene University quickly adapted and began doing drive-through tours. Although they were not as in-depth as regular guided tours, it still gave students the opportunity to see the campus. This is vital because research has shown that a students who visit a college campus are twice as likely to enroll at that university than students who don’t visit prior to applying, according to Justine Rebecca Okerson’s Dissertation on college choice and campus visits.

“I think Admissions did very well handling COVID and keeping everyone safe,” said Chelsie Anderson, an incoming freshman.

As restrictions began to lift, the admissions staff adjusted once again and resumed inviting students to campus. Guided campus tours are now socially distanced, and all attendees must wear masks. Purple and Gold Days was once an overnight weekend event. Now, it is a one-day affair that allows students to experience more of life at Olivet. They have even begun allowing potential students to attend class sessions on campus again, as long as they can safely follow all COVID protocol.

I thought the experience felt as normal as possible during a pandemic. We took precaution, but had a good time.”

Chelsie Anderson

If parents or students are worried about COVID-19 numbers on campus before their visit, they can check the Olivet Responds COVID-19 Dashboard. There they can see the number of current positive cases in isolation, the number of resolved cases, the positivity rate, and much more. This may afford some peace of mind, as they can see exactly what the numbers are on campus, and what is being done to combat the spread.

The Admissions Center is a place where lives are changed. It is where a potential student chooses where they are going to spend the next four years of their life. For more information on Olivet Nazarene University’s Office of Admissions, email admissions@olivet.edu, or call 800-648-1463.